‘Have discipline in distribution of relief goods’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Survivors of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City and other areas were asked to emulate the discipline of the Japanese people in queuing up for the distribution of relief goods.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. made the appeal yesterday to allow the distribution of relief goods to proceed with order.

An unruly distribution of goods could hamper relief efforts, said Alcala who was here yesterday.

He said initial damage to agriculture and some infrastructure has reached more than P7 billion.

Marañon asked Filipinos to stop criticizing the government for the slow pace of relief efforts.

Bacolod Rep. Evelio Leonardia said the destruction is just too widespread, and that its magnitude is overwhelming.

“In spite of the overwhelming response (of help and pledges), it’s hard to cope,” he said.

In Dagupan City, Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan Socrates Villegas asked for prayer and material help for people in the Visayas, who survived the devastation of Yolanda.

“We must come together to pray and put together our material resources to rush aid to the suffering brethren in those provinces,” he said.

In a post on his blog site, Villegas said Masses will be held in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan until Nov. 19 for the typhoon victims, especially those who died in the calamity.

A second collection in all Masses will be made during the period to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts, he added. – Danny Dangcalan, Eva Visperas